There are some days I can happily subsist on lean protein, raw nuts and fresh produce. And then there are other days that are my must.eat.chocolate.NOW days. Take yesterday: it was a long day at work, was late to hot yoga and then I got into the dumbest debate imaginable with the woman on the mat next to me about the pronunciation of “acai.” (She was calling it “ackie.”) On days like this, my body just screams out for chocolate—and I always feel a wee bit guilty that it isn’t screaming out for herbal tea. It turns out, though, if you believe what they tell you on TV, my body was on to something with that craving.
According to my favorite TV doctor talk show, 100% cocoa (no sugar added; we’re not talking a big slice of German chocolate cake) is exactly what you ought to be enjoying in the evening! If you had a bad day, you’re better off having a hot cocoa nightcap than drinking wine, coffee or tea. In fact, the doc described cocoa as the highest endorphin-producing food in the world! You’ll feel better and have an easier time falling asleep.
Now that it’s spring (finally!) hot cocoa feels like a wintery drink, so I’ve been enjoying cocoa in a homemade pudding form. I like to mix a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder with a cup of almond milk, a handful of white chia seeds and stevia to sweeten it, then I refrigerate till it gels—my own version of this awesome “Chia Pudding For One” recipe by The Diet Diva. Without the added sugar or any dairy, it fits into my paleo lifestyle just fine. But I do enjoy it best with just a half-glass of red vino.
How do you unwind after a long day? Tweet me at @AnitasJourney!